Brilliantly Cheesy Spinach Manicotti
Indulge in a delicious vegetarian twist on the classic Italian manicotti, filled with a creamy blend of low-fat cheeses and nutrient-rich spinach. This irresistibly cheesy dish brings together the goodness of part-skim mozzarella, fat-free cottage cheese, and earthy spinach, baked to perfection in a flavorful tomato-basil sauce. Perfect for family gatherings or a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe not only satisfies your pasta cravings but also offers a health-conscious option without compromising on taste. Enjoy the rich flavors and a wholesome dose of calcium while keeping the saturated fat low—your body will thank you!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 cups (divided)
Fat-free cottage cheese
16 ounces (carton)
Frozen chopped spinach
10 ounces (thawed, drained, and squeezed dry)
Grated fresh parmesan cheese
1/4 cup
Dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons
Salt
1/4 teaspoon
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Manicotti pasta
8 ounces (package (14 shells))
Fat-free tomato-basil pasta sauce
26 ounces (jar)
Cooking spray
as needed (for baking dish)
Water
1 cup
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of shredded part-skim mozzarella, the entire carton of fat-free cottage cheese, thawed and drained frozen spinach, grated fresh parmesan, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
3
Using a spoon, carefully fill each uncooked manicotti shell with approximately 3 tablespoons of the cheese mixture.
4
Pour half of the fat-free tomato-basil pasta sauce into a 13x9 inch baking dish that you’ve coated with cooking spray.
5
Place the stuffed manicotti shells in a single layer over the sauce.
6
Top the stuffed shells with the remaining pasta sauce, ensuring even coverage over all the shells.
7
Add 1 cup of water to the baking dish, which will help cook the shells and prevent them from drying out.
8
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
9
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to keep moisture in.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until the shells are tender and the cheese is bubbly.
11
Once baked, remove from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your deliciously cheesy spinach manicotti!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brilliantly Cheesy Spinach Manicotti?
It is a vegetarian Italian pasta dish featuring manicotti shells stuffed with a blend of low-fat cheeses and spinach, baked in tomato-basil sauce.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this is a meatless dish classified as vegetarian.
How many manicotti shells are needed?
The recipe requires one 8-ounce package, which typically contains 14 shells.
Do I need to boil the pasta shells before stuffing?
No, you fill the manicotti shells while they are still uncooked.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
What types of cheese are used in the filling?
The filling uses shredded part-skim mozzarella, fat-free cottage cheese, and grated fresh parmesan.
How should I prepare the spinach for this recipe?
Use 10 ounces of frozen chopped spinach that has been thawed, drained, and squeezed dry.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A 13x9 inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
How much mozzarella cheese is used in total?
A total of 2 cups of shredded part-skim mozzarella is used, divided between the filling and the topping.
What kind of pasta sauce is recommended?
The recipe calls for a 26-ounce jar of fat-free tomato-basil pasta sauce.
Why is water added to the baking dish?
One cup of water is added to help cook the uncooked shells and ensure they do not dry out during the long bake time.
How much filling goes into each manicotti shell?
Approximately 3 tablespoons of the cheese and spinach mixture should be used to fill each shell.
Should the baking dish be covered in the oven?
Yes, cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in while baking.
How long does the dish need to bake?
Bake for about 1 hour or until the shells are tender and the cheese is bubbly.
How long should the manicotti rest after baking?
Let the dish stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Is this a low-fat recipe?
Yes, it is designed to be health-conscious by using fat-free and part-skim dairy products and fat-free sauce.
What spices are used to flavor the cheese mixture?
The mixture is flavored with dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Can I use fresh parmesan cheese?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1/4 cup of grated fresh parmesan cheese.
How much cottage cheese is required?
You will need one 16-ounce carton of fat-free cottage cheese.
Is this recipe suitable for a family dinner?
Absolutely, it is described as perfect for family gatherings or a comforting weeknight meal.
What are the nutritional benefits of this dish?
It offers a wholesome dose of calcium and nutrients from the spinach while keeping saturated fat low.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, you should coat the baking dish with cooking spray before adding the sauce and shells.
How do I layer the sauce and shells?
Pour half the sauce in the dish, add the stuffed shells, then top with the remaining sauce.
What is the total number of ingredients?
The recipe uses 11 ingredients including the cooking spray and water.
Does this recipe contain meat?
No, this is a meat-free recipe.
What happens if the spinach is not squeezed dry?
Excess moisture from the spinach can make the cheese filling too watery, so it is important to squeeze it dry.
Is the mozzarella added all at once?
No, 1 1/2 cups go into the filling and the remaining 1/2 cup is sprinkled on top before baking.
What is the flavor profile of the sauce?
The recipe specifies a tomato-basil flavor profile for the pasta sauce.
Is this dish considered an Italian meal?
Yes, it is a vegetarian twist on a classic Italian manicotti.
Can I substitute the dried oregano?
While the recipe calls for dried oregano, you could use other Italian herbs, though it may slightly change the intended flavor.